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I'm tryiing to make some more natural looking "decor" for a couple of enclosures. I'm kind of tired of the same mopani/grape vine/cork that is available at just about every pet store. I've got access to some recently cut oak, gum and pear branches.

Looking through the forum I see freezing, baking, microwaving and pesticides as options. All with various pros and cons.

For small stuff I can see the freezing, baking and/or microwaving as easy enough options. I can see that working easily enough for ground cover/mulch type decor. But what about a 3-4' branch (big enough to span a 55G aquarium)?

How would you prep something like that?

What I have done in the past is very time consuming, but I have removed all bark. Soaked the log in 50% bleach solution until saturated, usually a few hours. Allowed to dry completely for a week. Then soaked in plain water. Once again dry for a week. Repeat. I usually allow it to dry for a few weeks before adding to any cages. This was also protocol in previous mite infestations. Kinda a pain, but cleans the wood nooks and cranies well.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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Hmm. I took all the bark off of a couple pieces and that kind of negates the whole "natural wood" look I was trying for. I ended up with a couple pieces of wood about the same color as the shredded aspen I use for bedding.

I think I'll try the bleach/water idea on a couple of pieces with the bark still on and see how that turns out.

>>Hmm. I took all the bark off of a couple pieces and that kind of negates the whole "natural wood" look I was trying for. I ended up with a couple pieces of wood about the same color as the shredded aspen I use for bedding.
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>>I think I'll try the bleach/water idea on a couple of pieces with the bark still on and see how that turns out.

Usually that much soaking will remove the bark. Good luck tho!
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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IMO the only thing that could possibly be a problem is the sap or oils in the branch in an enclosed glass cage. And that maight even still be paranoid.

So to lessen the oils/sap, dry the wood out. Soaking first may do alot to leech out some of the stuff, then dry it as stated. An oven helps dry it faster if your climate is not cooperating.
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Mark

The technique I've used with good success for big branches is to put them inside of a large, black plastic garbage bag. Pour in 1-2 cups of bleach. Tie it securely closed so it is airtight and set out in the sun for a couple days. The bleach will become gaseous and can penetrate deeply into the wood, nooks and cranies killing everything it comes in contact with. In addition the temps inside will reach in excess of 180*F which is above pasteurization temps.

Even if it's cool outside the black plastic acts as solar heat source and trust me it will still get very hot inside. Just be sure to put it in an area that will receive full sun for most of the day.

After you remove your branches let them air out in the sun for another day or so.

Hope this helps.

Big T
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Hope this helps.

BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.

In typical internet fashion, I took the parts I liked and ignored the rest ...

Since the branches I wanted to prep were too big to soak in a bucket (and I didn't really want to buy 25G of bleach to fill a 55G aquarium to a 50/50 mix of bleach and water for a one time deal). I went somewhere in the middle.

I got a spray bottle and filled it with a 50/50 bleach/water mix. I took the branches outside in the sun on my driveway where it gets to about 100 on a sunny day. I sprayed them to dripping 2-3 times a day and took them back inside at night. I did this for about 5 days.

Wish I'd seen the idea about the using the black plastic bag as that seems like the best of both worlds.